Health Minister Jonathan Coleman won't say when he'll make a decision about replacing the Southern District Health Board.

He may appoint an independent commissioner to run the beleaguered organisation.

The minister received a response from the DHB yesterday, and is reportedly taking board members' views into account.

A ministry spokesperson told 39 Dunedin News there's no timeframe for a decision to be made or announced.

Southern DHB chief executive Carole Heatly hopes to keep her job, and work with a commissioner if one is appointed.

The board's projecting a $42m deficit in the coming financial year.